Madden 25 now available for iPhone and iPad, jumping on the freemium bandwagon

We're at that time of year again, and as sure as the new NFL season begins we also get the yearly update to the Madden series. This years release, Madden 25, is now available to download for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch on the same day as the console release, and is following EA's now traditional free-to-play model:

An experience 25 years in the making! EA SPORTS delivers the most authentic NFL football experience to date on iPhone® and iPad® with MADDEN NFL 25. Build your Ultimate Team of NFL stars and run the show on offense and defense with new and improved touch controls, game modes and much more!

Free to download is something that we meet with mixed reactions, and indeed the recent confirmation from Gamescom that FIFA Mobile would be going down the same route is something I vented my own opinions on. Madden is another premium title that's now switched to this model, and according to TouchArcade, the nickel-and-diming spoils the experience:

"Unfortunately, any excitement was quickly extinguished when I fired up the game and realized this would not be anything like its console brethren. Instead, Madden 25 for iOS fully embraces its freemium roots, offering an experience that all but the most hardcore fans should avoid."

I've yet to download and play Madden 25, but it will be a pretty bitter pill to swallow if in-app purchases actually hamper the gameplay. But, I'll reserve my own final judgment until I've played through it a while. How about you, though. Have you already played Madden 25 and found yourself put off by the paywall? Drop me a line in the comments!